Page 100 of Axe Backwards
Holding my breath, I nodded. His body heat soaked into me, making my stomach roil.
“We see this as a long-term beneficial relationship.” He licked his lips, his eyes dipping to my mouth. “And I’m prepared to be very generous.”
For a moment, I considered screaming. But I kept my wits about me. I promised Parker that I would get all the information I could.
“I know all about the diaper bank designation.” He smirked. “And your application to the Feeding America grant program.”
I nodded, though the move was disjointed, jerky. How the hell did he know about all of this?
“And the others too. You’ve been busy, applying for every penny, every scrap.”
“How do you know about the grants?” I asked, my voice weaker than I’d like. “And the diaper bank designation?”
His beady eyes narrowed further. “Do you know who my father is?”
I dipped my chin, my throat tightening.
“He’s well-connected. He can make these grants happen or…” He trailed off. He didn’t have to finish the sentence. The message was loud and clear. He could easily ensure I didn’t receive any of the grants the food pantry so desperately needed.
All that hard work potentially down the drain. I wanted to punch this smug little turd in the face. Instead, I forced myself to speak calmly. “I understand.”
He took a step back and crossed his arms.
“Great. I had my secretary draw up the initial contract.” He pulled out the thumb drive and once again deposited it in his pocket, then snapped the laptop shut. “I’ll grab those, and you can sign. We’ve got a notary on staff so—”
I stood, hitting my knee on the desk in the process. “I-I’m sorry. Do you mind if I take them to review with Aunt Lou first? She still likes to be involved and is so excited about this partnership.”
He frowned, assessing me dubiously.
“You’ve been so kind explaining it all to me,” I said, mustering all the faux enthusiasm I could. I had to get the hell out of here. “I’m so excited.”
With a nod, he picked up a tan folder and held it out to me. “We need to get started soon.” He warned. “Come in next week, and we’ll sign everything.”
I snatched the folder, then picked up my purse and backed toward the door. I needed to get to Parker and info dump everything I’d observed.
“Sure thing. Thanks so much for all your help.”
As I scurried down Main Street, recording voice memos on my phone so as not to forget any details, my confidence surged.Not only had I gone in there and pretended to eat my humble pie, but I’d seen some potentially damaging evidence.
I just hoped it would be enough.
Chapter 33
Noah
Thor threw a blueberry, then tossed his head back and laughed hysterically.
“I thought Merry was coming.” I was hurt. I missed my niece.
Finn chuckled. “And get up this early? She’s a teenager now. She doesn’t function before noon on summer vacation. She did, however, wake up long enough to give me a to-go order.”
He handed Thor a sippy cup, which he banged on the table before chugging.
“I don’t know how Mom did it. Five boys.” He shook his head. “I’ve only got two kids, and we’re run ragged. This one is straight-up feral. We had to put him in a toddler bed because he kept hurtling himself out of his crib. Walked into our bedroom in the middle of the night. Scared Adele half to death.”
I eyed Thor, who was now smearing blueberry into his hair. “He stays in it all night?”
My next oldest brother dropped his head, his shoulders shaking. “God no. Escapes constantly. Most mornings, we find him passed out on his bedroom floor, surrounded by toys. Weput a baby gate up in the doorway,but it’s only a matter of time before he figures out how to scale it.”
